Advent Wreath

Christmas · tradition · Christian

Four candles mark time. Each of the four candles on an Advent wreath represents one of the four weeks before Christmas. Lighting one new candle each week helps families count down to the holiday.

Circle of evergreen. Advent wreaths are traditionally made from evergreen branches that stay green all year. The circular shape with no beginning or end symbolizes God's eternal love.

Lutheran tradition. Advent wreaths started as a Lutheran practice in Germany and have since spread to many other Christian churches around the world.

Part of Advent season. Advent is the four-week period in the Christian calendar that leads up to Christmas, a time of preparation and reflection before celebrating Jesus's birth.

Candle colors vary. Many Advent wreaths use purple or blue candles for the first three weeks (symbolizing reflection) and a pink or white candle for the final week (symbolizing hope and joy).